Azrael headed over to replace the incense burning and flowers before she would go to the festivities. As she walked over, she saw a tall figure looking over the shrine. "Hello," she said timidly.

The stranger turned to acknowledge Azrael and gave a warm smile. "Good evening Miss Azrael."

"Have we met before?" Azrael was taken by surprise at the stranger knowing her name. She looked at him closely but didn't recognize him at all.

"My apologies. We have not met before but you are the first to have shown any celebration of my name that I have come across." The stranger explained. He gave a quick bow before continuing, "Merikh at your service my love."

Azrael's eyes widened and she dropped the flowers she was holding at his feet. "You actually came. Raden said you probably wouldn't show up because you had better things to do, but I didn't care I thought it would be nice to show you some of the same love that all these others are receiving. So I found some poppies no one would touch at the florist and some nice smelling incense because I wasn't sure what else to bring and I need to just stop talking." Azrael took a breath realizing she was rambling on, but she always did that when she was nervous.

Merikh smiled and picked up the flowers. "These are lovely. I do have a question Azrael. Did you say, Raden?"

"Oh yes. He said you would enjoy this setup but probably wouldn't show up."

"You've met him," Mirekh asked.

Azrael went to change out the flowers. "We've been staying in a little inn here for the past week or so together."

Azrael watched Merikh clench his jaw quickly but whatever he was thinking was soon gone. He fixed his cloak and turned to sit on the little wall beside the table. Azrael went ahead and fixed up everything while Merikh watched her. She wasn't sure what to think of him. He was quite intimidating and his presence was felt all around even if people didn't know who he was, and many wouldn't. Should she have not said anything about Raden? Would Raden be mad if he found out? Many questions ran through Azrael's mind, but she couldn't let the worry be seen. She needed to hold herself together.

"My dear Azrael, would you mind accompanying me around the festival? I'm waiting on a very special guest and I have arrived a bit too early for her liking." Merikh let out a deep chuckle and reached an arm for Azrael.

She thought a moment before straightening out her dress and taking his arm. "I would love that." and away they went into the crowded streets. A few minutes into their walk Azrael turned to Merikh. "If you don't mind me asking, who are you waiting for?"

"That would be Arjan. She is my love and has been for a millennium."

"That's a long time to be in love," Azrael blurted out. She immediately went red in the face and stopped talking.

Merikh started to laugh. "It is indeed but it makes eternal life so much more bearable." He patted Azrael’s hand lightly. "She is why I am here today. I don't normally venture out but she loves festivals like this."

"I don't blame her. This is the first I've attended but it's been a wonderful experience so far," Azrael explained. Her head turned as the music began and she smiled seeing couples enter a circle everyone had created.

Merikh glanced over at her and back at the crowd and without missing a beat asked, "Arjan wouldn't mind missing one dance." Azrael looked over and saw a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Would you care to join in?"

Azrael smiled wider and nodded excitedly. Merikh led her to an open spot in the midst of the others dancing around. He gave a bow and she gave a giggled curtsy before he took the lead and they joined in with the others. He spun her and dipped her and she returned with laughter. As the music ended everyone applauded the band. A tap on Azrael's shoulder broke her from the music and she was face to face with a gorgeous woman.

She seemed to tower over many. Her dark skin was a beautiful contrast to the sky-blue dress she wore. Azrael looked up to meet the woman's stare. "I believe you have my dance partner." She was referring to Merikh it seemed.

"Oh!"

Merikh turned and his face lit up at the site of the woman. "Arjan, you look stunning as ever." He leaned in for a kiss and then turned to Azrael. "Arjan this here is Azrael."

Arjan held out a hand for Azrael to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet a witch of your power." Azrael shook her hand but wasn't quite sure what Arjan was getting at. "I do believe another song is starting up. If you would excuse us, I would love a dance."

Merikh gave a smile to Azrael and led Arjan to the dance floor. Everyone seemed to be mesmerized by the two as they seemingly floated around. Azrael could only wish someone would look at her the way Merikh cherished Arjan. She stood with the rest of the crowd watching the couple’s dance. It was looking to be a beautiful night.

~~~*~~~

Raden had been beating himself up since Azrael left. He couldn't get the look on her face out of his mind and how it was eating him up. He could hear the laughter and joyful yelling from the window.

The night's still young. That little annoying voice poked at Raden. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at himself in the mirror. Come one. Just suck it up for a few hours and make her night.

"God fucking dammit," Raden huffed and stood up.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

He made his way out of the inn but wasn't sure where to start. Surely Azrael wouldn't have gone too far. Raden began his search at the little table she had set but she wasn't there. He sighed knowing he was going to have to fight a crowd he very much didn't want to even be in. He passed by many who were handing out small little gifts from bracelets to flowers. All of which Raden turned down.

A group of kids came up to Raden in awe of him as he stepped to the side of the street for a small break after about twenty minutes of searching. He looked at them weary of what they might do when one lifted up her hands to be picked up. Carefully, Raden picked her up and she sat down in his lap looking at him.

"What are you?"

Raden let out a small laugh. This kid couldn't be any older than four. "An angel."

"You don't look like an angel," another spoke up. Raden looked down and saw a little red-headed boy. "Angels have white wings and halos."

"Who told you that," Raden asked.

"My mother." The boy looked very proud of his answer.

Raden smiled and look at the girl in his lap. "Do you think I'm not an angel?"

"You could be Satan," she giggled.

"It's the wings isn't it," Raden joked. She nodded and smiled. The other kids around had huddled up surrounding Raden. He nervously looked around. He wasn't used to having so many curious eyes around him without someone trying to kill him. "I am in fact an angel just not the one you've been taught about."

"Then what kind are you?"

Raden was hesitant. Maybe telling them the whole truth wasn't the best. "I'm a special kind of angel. I help those in need when no one else can." Partially correct.

"Caleb!" A woman came running over and grabbed the little red-headed boy. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just talking to the angel."

The lady turned her glare to Raden. He hadn't seen that much hatred from a human in decades. "You stay away from my child you hear me! You fucking demon." Raden didn't say a word as she dragged her kid away. He knew better than to argue.

The rest of the children dispersed as the boy was taken away. He seemed to be the ringleader of them all. However, the little girl sat still watching Raden very intently.

"I've seen a demon. You don't look like that," the girl said.

Raden looked down at her. "Yeah?"

She nodded so frantically that her flower crown fell down in front of her face. Raden fixed it for her and she smiled showing a few teeth that had fallen out. She jumped down and looked at him.

"What?"

She grabbed his hand and started pulling him. He laughed and stood following her through the crowd. The little girl pulled Raden through a group standing around a fairly large tree that had silver ribbons hanging from the limbs. A woman who was dressed in a ground-length inky black dress and had strange tattoos running up each arm saw the little girl and smiled.

"There you are. What've you been up to all day," the woman asked the little girl as she held her.

The girl leaned in and whispered something. The woman looked up at Raden and gave him a wide smile. She let the girl down and she waved Raden over.

"I see she made a new friend." The woman reached out a hand and Raden shook it. "Daphne and that is my daughter you've met Abigale."

"Nice to meet you," Raden answered. He looked around at the tree and everyone around.

Daphne laid a small ribbon in Raden's hand. "Ahmes. He's the God of the moon and protector of travelers by night. Tie a ribbon and say a prayer."

"No thank you. I don't do the whole praying thing." Raden handed back the ribbon.

"So I'm assuming you don't follow any God then." Daphne laid the ribbon back in the basket. She was very odd to Raden. "A fallen angel with no leader."

"No, I'm not a fallen angel." Raden felt slightly offended by that statement.

Daphne sensed the mood change. "Sorry sorry. I just assumed..."

"You assumed wrong. Listen it was nice meeting you but I'm looking for someone."

"Maybe I can help," Daphne said. "What do they look like? I have a fairly decent memory."

Raden seriously doubted it but nonetheless. "She has long red hair and was wearing a navy dress."

Daphne took a second to think then shook her head. "Sorry don't think I saw her." Figures. "Try the band. Most everyone ends up going to listen or dance." Raden gave a short nod but before he could go she lightly grabbed his arm and pulled him close and whispered into his ear, "If you're needing some companion for the night, I'll be happy to oblige. It's not every day an angel walks into town."

Raden pulled his arm away rather harshly and walked away. "Fucking whore," he whispered to himself.

Raden followed the faint sound of music and came to the center of town. A large crowd had gathered and there were many out dancing. Raden walked around the outskirts but didn't have any luck so he pushed through until he had a better view of those dancing. On the other side was a small group of girls dancing together and there she was lost in her own little world. Dancing under the fairy light was Azrael.

The song died down and the girls gave one last curtsy before going their separate ways. Raden yelled out for Azrael. She turned hearing her name but went walking off when she couldn't find the source. Again Raden yelled and this time Azrael was able to pinpoint the source. Her smile grew and she ran over to meet Raden.

"What in the world are you doing here?"

"I thought I would at least hang out for the last few hours," Raden nervously rambled. "If that's okay with you of course."

"Of course!" Azrael exclaimed. The music was starting up again only this time it was a much slower tune. Azrael looked over at Raden. "Would you come dance with me? Just one dance is all you to do."

Raden saw the silent plea in her eyes. He was ready to shake his head no but something stopped him. Maybe it was how he treated her this morning or all weekend or the fact that he was still keeping information she should know and it was killing him. Whichever it was he took her hand and guided her out in front of everyone. "Just to let you know I'm not the greatest of dancers."

Azrael giggled. "That's quite all right." Azrael sensed Raden's hesitance and help him out a bit. She guided his left hand to her waist and held his other. She placed her free hand on his shoulder and pulled him close.

The music picked up and they began to just sway. They didn't say a word to each other. Raden became very self-aware and was highly out of his comfort zone. The two of them seemed to become the center of attention and Raden wasn't a big fan of that. Azrael didn't seem to mind or didn't realize. As the song continued, she laid her head on Raden's chest, and in an instant, Raden's mind wasn't on the curious eyes peering at them. Instead, He closed his eyes and lightly rested his chin on Azrael's head. He could feel her smile on his chest and he held her closer. The music continued and he opened his eyes as he lightly pushed Azrael away still holding her right hand. Azrael was caught off guard a bit as she let go but realized quickly that Raden was trying to spin her. She obliged and gave off a laugh.

"You say you're not a dancer but you seem to have some moves up your sleeve," Azrael joked as she met him again.

"I think I said I wasn't a great dancer." Raden smiled. They continued for a minute more until the song finally ended. Azrael gave a small curtsy and Raden chuckled. He had for once enjoyed himself and was glad he chose to dance. However, this joyous evening was brought to a screeching halt as Raden met the gaze of his master. "Fuck."